Car-coupling



(No moa-e1.) l f 7 W.- C. KELLY.'

- Car Coupling.

No.. 236,893.. Parente-d Jan.2"5,1`ss|.

' ILPETERS PQIOTWLITHQGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

WALLACE C. KELLY, OF HASTINGS, MICHIGAN.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,893, dated January 25, 1881.

Application filed October 8, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, WALLACE G. KELLY, of Hastings, Barry county, Michigan, have invented an Improvement in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

The nature of this invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the construc- "tion of devices for coupling together railwaycars 5 and the invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combinations of the parts, all as more fully hereinafter set forth. l

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, showing the position of the parts when coupled; and Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the same uncoupled.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, A represents the draw-bar, provided with the head B, of the usual construction. In the upper face of the head B is formed a slot, a, in which is pivoted the conupling-hook G, which is provided with an upwardly-projecting stud, b, and a recess, c,.upon its upper edge, as shown. D is aleafspring, secured at its rear end to the draw-bar, while its outer end rests upon the heel of the latch-hook when in position, as shown in Fig. 1.

In practice, when it is desired to couple together two cars provided with this coupler, the link E is inserted, as shown in Fig. 1. The weight of the coupling-hook, resting upon the end of the link, holds the same in a horizontal plane, so that it will enter the head of the approaching car, pushing` under the couplinghook in such head until the end of the link -passes the hook e, which will then drop down,

by gravity, and thus securely couple the two cars together.

When it is desired to uncouple the cars the latch-hook is turned up till the outer end of the spring D engages with the recess c in the upper edge of the fall-hook, where it will be retained py the action of said spring. The parts can also be placed in the last-described position when it is desired to prevent two approaching cars `from coupling, the function of the spring being only to hold the latch in its elevated position.

It will be `observed that when two cars are coupledthe end of the spring D abuts against the heel of the coupling-hook, thus securely holding the hook in engagement with the link E, while, by means of the handle b, the hook may readilyr be turned to uncouple the hook from the link, the end of the spring engaging in the recess c in the hook, and holding up the coupling-hook.

It will also beobserved that there is no liability, in my construction, of breakage of the spring D as the coupling-link is rotated to uncouple, because the free end of the spring in such rotation will be brought in contact with the handle of the coupling-link, acting as a stop, thus limiting the revolution of the coupling-link and preventing the breakage of the spring. By my construction, also, the spring D will be operative in holding up the coupling-hook without bending the free end ot' the spring, by reason of the downward pressure of the spring on the upper face of the recess exerted on the coupling-hook in front of a vertical line passing through its pivot.

I am aware that a coupling-hook pivoted in a slotted draw-head and held coupled by a spring bearing on its upper face, as shown in Letters Patent granted to W. H. Darling for a car-coupling, dated August 18, 1874, No. 154,127, has heretofore been employed, and I therefore lay no claim to such invention.

I am also aware that a coupling-hook pivoted in a slotted draw-head and provided with a convex rear end, having notches to receive the end of a spring-rod recessed in the drawhead and hold the coupling-hook up or down, as shown in Letters Patent granted to I. T. Sherrill for a car-coupler, dated March 23, 1875, No. 161,165, has heretofore, been ernployed, and I therefore lay no claim to such invention.

What I claim as my invention is- The combination, with the draw-bar A, having the slotted head B, of the coupling-hook G, pivoted in said head, and provided with the recess o, hook e, and handle and stop b, and the spring D, secured at one end to the drawbar, and having its free end adapted to abut against the heel of the hook when coupled, and to engage, when uncoupled, with therecess in the coupling-hook, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

WALLACE C. KELLY. Witnesses:

H. S. SPEAGUE, A. WAHL.

IOO 

